Help Gemma Beat Stage IV Liver Cancer

On September 27, 2023, 2 year old Gemma was diagnosed with Stage IV Hepatoblastoma. This is a type of liver cancer that has spread to her lungs and ventricular artery leading to her heart.

Gemma is only 2 1/2 years old.

Although it is quite serious, this form of cancer is thankfully more treatable than many pediatric cancers. Without a doubt Gemma has a terribly hard battle ahead of her. Her parents, Moriah and Michael, are dealing with overwhelming emotions and trying to sort through everything the doctors are telling them. Fortunately, despite being Stage IV, there's still a lot of hope for recovery.

Gemma's daddy, Michael, is a young pastor and her mommy, Moriah, had to quit her job as a school teacher just before Gemma was born due to mysterious health challenges, and she's never been able to go back to work because Gemma's health requires her full time attention.

Gemma has struggled to eat properly since birth, and has a feeding tube.

As friends of Gemma and her parents, our hearts are breaking for their little family, and deeply concerned for how they will financially survive this.

While we write this, Gemma is in surgery getting a PICC line placed in order to start chemotherapy to shrink the tumors enough to be able to attempt surgery. If that is not successful, she will likely need a liver transplant. Her treatment plan is not set in stone, since her medical team is still working through various tests, but we know that it will be a very challenging journey for her, no matter which treatment course is required.

Michael and Moriah recently lost Gemma's secondary insurance which means the cost of copays and out-of-pocket medical expenses will be more than they can afford.

In addition, they live hours away from Gemma's doctors. We know that the hospital stays and treatment is going to be lengthy, even though we don't know exactly how many months it will take.

Expenses that we know of right now include:

Please join us in holding up little Gemma and her family with an outpouring of love, prayers, practical and financial help through this immensely challenging time. Anything you are able to contribute will make a meaningful impact on their family's ability to care for Gemma during this fight against cancer.